Chicago Gets New Vegan Fast-Food Joint

Vegan fast-food restaurant Kal’ish will open its doors next week in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago, IL. The restaurant will serve plant-based takes on American food favorites such as the jackfruit-based Pulled Pork-N-Jack, vegan chicken-and-waffles dish Clucker Crisp & French Toast, and breakfast items such as Biscuits & Sausage Gravy. Owners Gina and Andy Kalish create all meats in-house using beans, legumes, roots, and yeast. “We’ve always wanted to open a vegan restaurant that could satisfy vegans and omnivores alike,” Gina says. “Kal’ish offers indulgent plant-based alternatives to favorites found at traditional fast food restaurants.” The restaurant space was designed by vegan architect Ferdinanda Marcic who helped conceptualize its name—a play on words that is both a stylization of the owners’ last name and meant to hint at vegans’ favorite leafy green, kale. The grand opening of Kal’ish takes place on January 14—guests will be treated to complimentary hot cocoa, cookies, grilled cheese, and tomato soup.